3. Brook Lopez
If you had to list the qualities that Brett Brown values in a post player, they seem pretty simple: A good defensive player, fast enough to get out on the break, can shoot from outside but also knows how to score in the low post. If he could be a rim protector and an excellent passer, that would also help.
In other words: Brook Lopez
It was a real head scratcher that the 76ers made no attempt to sign the 7-foot tall, 10-year veteran that we know of.
Even last season, as a part-time starter for the Los Angeles Lakers, he averaged 13 points, four rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.3 blocks a game. He has made 246 3-pointers in the last two seasons.
Sixers fans remember his days with the Nets, when he was an effective player and quite athletic for his size.
With all its cap money committed to LeBron James and his friends, the Lakers did not try to keep Lopez.
Outside of superstars, the free agent market was quite tight this summer as most teams were up against either the salary cap or facing a huge luxury tax bill.
That left players like Lopez in a sort of limbo. He was certainly better than a veteran’s minimum contract but few teams (the 76ers being one of them) had the room to sign him to a salary he probably deserved.
After 17 days on the open market, Lopez finally signed with the Milwaukee Bucks, a team looking to make noise in the Eastern Conference.
He agreed, reportedly, to just a one-year deal worth $3.3 million. To put that amount in perspective, Mike Muscala will be paid $5 million.
Does anyone think Brook Lopez would not be an upgrade from Muscala (except for Bucknell alumni)?
If they offered Lopez, say, $3.5 million, he signs with Philly and then maybe the Sixers get something else helpful in the Atlanta-Oklahoma City trade, like a draft pick or outside shooting wing, as they would have no need for Muscala.
Yep, a real headscratcher.